Construction sites tend to be busy environments, with lots of noise and constant movement from heavy machinery and industrial trucks, not to mention the potential risks posed by heavy overhead loads, hazardous materials, contact with electricity, and other occupational safety hazards. There is typically a lot going on at once on a construction site and construction workers are expected to ignore any potential distractions and get their work done safely and efficiently. However, this isn’t always possible, depending on the hazards that exist on the job site and the extent of the protections that have been put in place to prevent these hazards from causing harm to workers. The following are some common types of accidents that can occur on a construction site:

• Electrocutions – Construction workers face a risk of electrocution from overhead wires, electrical equipment, wiring, lighting and other electrical hazards on construction sites.
• Burns – Electrical burns, thermal burns, chemical burns and smoke inhalation burns are all examples of burn injuries that can affect construction workers.

• Falls from heights – Falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs and other elevated surfaces can result in serious or possibly even fatal construction site injuries.

• Slip and falls – Even a slip and fall on the ground can cause construction workers to suffer sprains, broken bones and other serious injuries. 

• Struck-by accidents (falling objects) – Struck-by accidents are all too common on construction sites, where workers routinely work with heavy objects and equipment. When a construction worker is struck by a piece of equipment, a vehicle, or a falling, flying, rolling or swinging object, death or serious injury may occur. 

• Caught-in and caught-between accidents – Similar to struck-by accidents, caught-in/caught-between accidents occur when a worker or worker’s body part is caught or crushed between objects. 

• Crane and hoist accidents – Cranes and hoists are commonly used on construction sites to lift and move heavy objects, large tools, and other building materials. However, serious crane or hoist accidents can occur when construction workers are near an overhead load or within the crane’s swing radius, or if the crane comes in contact with an overhead power line. These types of construction accidents can happen as a result of operator error, lack of proper training, or other avoidable factors.

• Forklift accidents – Inattentive or poorly trained forklift operators can pose a considerable risk for other construction workers who may suffer serious injuries in a forklift accident. These types of accidents can occur as a result of poorly maintained equipment, carrying excessive loads, or failure to follow safe operating procedures when picking up, putting down, moving and stacking loads.

• Gas leaks, fires and explosions – On any construction site where workers are installing, replacing or repairing fixtures for the use of natural gas, a potentially deadly gas leak, fire or explosion can occur. Chemicals and combustible materials can also trigger fires and explosions on construction sites, which can lead to burn injuries, hazardous chemical exposure, or other serious injuries. 

• Equipment- or machinery-related accidents – Heavy machinery can help construction workers complete a job faster. However, it can also cause devastating injuries if the machinery is defective or the operator is negligent or careless.

• Elevator shaft accidents – Some construction projects call for an empty space to be left for an elevator to be installed at a later stage. If these elevator shafts are not properly covered or barricaded, or if an open elevator shaft does not have clearly posted warnings, a construction worker could fall down the shaft and suffer serious injuries, paralysis or death.

• Chemical spills and exposure to chemicals – Depending on the type of construction site, workers may run the risk of being exposed to toxic chemicals or respiratory irritants, which can cause burns or respiratory problems.

• Structure collapse – Scaffolding, also known as staging, is a temporary framework used in construction to raise and support workers, machinery and building materials. When construction scaffolds are not assembled correctly or used properly, or when they are defectively designed or manufactured, falls are more likely to occur. 

• Vehicle accidents – The use of earth-moving equipment, trucks and other heavy duty vehicles is essential for large-scale construction work. Unfortunately, these vehicles can also be a danger to workers who may be struck by a construction vehicle during the course of their work. The same is true for highway and street construction workers, who are at risk for serious or potentially life-threatening injuries when working around construction vehicles and passing motorists. 

• Trench collapses – If a trench collapses on a construction site, workers can become trapped and die of compression injuries, blunt force trauma, suffocation or other potentially deadly injuries. In 2020 alone, trench cave-ins accounted for at least 21 fatalities on construction sites. These tragic accidents are often the result of workplace safety violations like inadequate trench cave-in protection, failure to conduct daily trench inspection, and heavy loads located too close to the trench edge. 

• Respiratory illness – Construction workers who aren’t equipped with the proper safety gear on job sites can develop respiratory illnesses caused by breathing in toxic fumes or hazardous materials, such as asbestos.

• Repetitive motion accidents – Many construction workers suffer back, ankle, wrist or joint injuries caused by the repetitive nature of their work. Repetitive movements, using excessive force, performing overhead work for long periods of time, and vibrations from power tools are just some examples of common construction activities that can cause debilitating musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis. 

Construction Focus Four

Because they occur so frequently on construction sites, electrocution accidents, falls, struck-by accidents, and caught-in/caught-between accidents have been identified by OSHA as the “Construction Focus Four,” or the four most common construction site hazards for construction workers. It is important for construction workers to be aware of these potential safety hazards so they can protect themselves at work and reduce their risk of injury or death. It is also important for workers and their loved ones to understand how and why construction site accidents occur so the appropriate party can be held liable for damages in the event of a worksite injury or fatality.